My Stylish Place : Perfectly Edited

Eclectic has been a popular go-to word to describe a design style. Previously used to describe a hodgepodge of items in a room with no color story, balance or symmetry, today it is used to describe rooms that have successfully layered in pieces from different design style, like mid-century mixed with Hollywood regency and art deco.

Meet April Carlisle, in her family room where she has designed a carefully edited space that is eclectic personified. She is shop owner of East & Coco (named after her kids Easton + Copeland) on Etsy. Her earliest memory of design was antique shopping with her mom. Her dream vintage find is a Karl Springer or Milo Baughman burl wood sofa.

April: How does it make you feel? It’s a mixed, relaxed room with tons of natural light.

STYLE: Describe your style in three words:

April: Cool, casual & unique.

STYLE: What is your approach to decorating?

April: It may sound cliche, but I just buy things that I love & don’t care for being super trendy. I’m pretty obsessed with art & plants.

Vintage French BergereChairs with modern pillows.photo credit: ariene bethea

STYLE: Which piece inspired this room?

April: I can’t say that there’s one particular piece that inspired the room, but the piece that I’ll use forever & looks good with anything is the vintage rattan scroll table. I can’t think of any other table that I’d rather have.

STYLE: What was your biggest challenge in decorating the space?

April: Honestly, the biggest challenge has been not letting toys totally overtake the room. This is where we spend the most time when we’re home & since there’s not a recreation/play room in this house, the majority of their toys are kept in here. I bought baskets & containers at HomeGoods for all the toys & we keep them in the cabinets under the bookshelves.

STYLE: What was your inspiration?

April: I wanted a space that felt comfortable, that people enjoyed being in, but was also unique & stylish.

April: My Andy Warhol serigraph. I got it on eBay and had it framed at Corners in Park Road Shopping Center.

STYLE: What is the least expensive item in the room?

April: The leather and wicker bull head. I found it at a flea market in Foscoe, NC for five dollars.

Leather & wicker bull head $5photo credit: ariene bethea

STYLE: What is your most favorite piece in this room? Why?

April: The rattan scroll table. I’ll love it forever. My husband likes it, too, which is not always the case with things I bring home, so that’s a plus!

photo credit: ariene bethea

STYLE: How do you use this space?

April: We use this room for everything, playing games, watching movies, reading, you name it.

STYLE: How would you describe the mood of the room?

April: Casual & fun with a nice blend of styles.

STYLE: What ingredients make this room your favorite place?

April: The natural light, high ceilings & stone fireplace make this room great to me.

photo credit: ariene bethea

STYLE: How did you decide what comes into your space? Are you a ruthless editor of things?

April: I’d say I’m strict about trying to balance everything in the room so it doesn’t end up feeling crowded, especially with all the accessories. I have so many little knick knacks, vases & random objects, figurines, so it’s hard figuring out how to display them in a tasteful way without looking like a hoarder.

Coffee Table Style. Many of these items are for sale in April’s Etsy Shop (excluding books).photo credit: ariene bethea

STYLE: How could someone re-create a similar style?Not to sound redundant, but I’d just tell people to buy things they really love and figure out the rest out later, like where to put it, etc. I know that is not the best way to approach things every time, but if I love it, I’ll make a place for it somewhere in the house. I love vintage furniture & investing in art is a great idea. There is so much awesome affordable, original art on Etsy & eBay. Collect things from travels that will always make you remember where you got it. I want to make a list of all my favorites things around the house that I’ve collected and just say where they came from and when I got them. I think that will be cool to have in the future, especially for Easton & Copeland if they’re interested in a certain piece. Indoor plants & trees, if you have enough space & light, are the prettiest & cheapest ways to make a home gorgeous to me, they are just as important in decorating as books. Also, antique & consignment shops & flea markets are the best places in the world.